Tim Cahill is privately plotting to play on for years in a welcome move that could have the Socceroos superstar appearing at a fourth World Cup.
Most assumed Brazil 2014 was Cahill’s World Cup swan song.
But in a revelation that will hearten Australian football fans, the country’s all-time leading goal-scorer says retirement is not in sight and he feels like he could play until he’s 40.
Cahill revealed he turned down the chance to return to the English Premier League after this year’s World Cup, preferring to remain with the New York Red Bulls in the MLS because he believes playing in America helps prolong his international career.
“Listen, I was 35 this month and my weight hasn’t changed, my fat hasn’t changed in 18 years,” Cahill told AAP ahead of next month’s Asian Cup in Australia.
He put his career longevity down to desire and playing for the right reasons.
“I’ve gone to the MLS because that allows me to play internationally.
“The next decision that I make will still allow me to play internationally.
“But I average 30 or 40 games every season since I was 17 years old and nothing’s changed.
“So I’d like to say that the next contract I sign will be two to three years minimum – with a vision.”
Cahill is already in elite company alongside Dutch superstars Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben, German great Miroslav Klose and American Clint Dempsey as the only players to score at the 2006, 2010 and 2014 World Cups.
Helping Australia qualify for – and then competing at – the 2018 World Cup in Russia would be an epic accomplishment and vault arguably Australia’s greatest player into a group of legends including Pele and Maradona to have featured at the global showpiece on four occasions.
Only German Lothar Matthaus and Mexican Antonio Carbajal have played at five World Cups.
“The future’s bright,” Cahill said.
“I’ve got another year left on my New York Red Bulls contract. The main feeling for me is every time I’m at a club, I like to be there for a long time.
“To be totally honest, I could have gone back to the Premier League on loan after the World Cup and I decided to stay with Red Bulls for the remainder of the season and still (have) options to go back to the Premier League if it’s the right one for me – and then deciding what’s best for international football afterwards as well.
“So when you put everything into one, the decision I make will be a methodical one, like I’ve always made it.
“It will take a month or so but, when it does, I think people will be quietly impressed with what I’m trying to do.”
More immediately, Cahill said he was feeling refreshed and looking forward to entering camp with the Socceroos in Melbourne on Sunday ahead of their Asian Cup opener against Kuwait on January 9.
“Physically, I feel great. Mentally, I’m always switched on,” he said.
“It seems like the calendar’s worked well coming into this competition.
“I’m ready to go.”
Legends who have appeared at four World Cups
Pele (Brazil) – 1958, 1962, 1966, 1970
Bobby Charlton (England) – 1958, 1962, 1966, 1970
Maradona (Argentina) – 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994
Ronaldo (Brazil) – 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006
Thierry Henry (France) – 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010
Miroslav Klose (Germany) – 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014
punter
Guest
Q, they will, they will!!!!
langou
Roar Guru
Great squad
Qantas supports Australian Football
Guest
The best striker Australia has ever produced and I now rate him above my past favourites Viduka and Kewell. Even now, I can't see any young Australian footballers as good as TC on the horizon, let alone overtaking him for the 2018 World Cup. I have seriously given up on the youngsters---they are so mediocre on the international stage. Please prove me wrong in the Asian Cup!
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Ange has named his 23-man squad for the 2015 Asian Cup. Note : Under the AFC Asian Cup competition rules, players injured up to the start of the tournament can be replaced but the new player must come from the original list submitted on 9 December. GK: Ryan, Langerak, Galekovic DF: Spiranovic, Sainsbury, Wilkinson, Behich, Herd, Franjic, Davidson MF: Jedinak, Bresciano, Luongo, McKay, Milligan, Antonis FW: Cahill, Juric, Kruse, Leckie, Oar, Troisi, Burns Source: http://www.socceroos.com.au/article/socceroos-23-man-asian-cup-squad-named/1nwwmsp1w7jm41gjonk71hfyyj#lW8seyA6jRU5o4uD.99
Horto Magiko
Guest
@RBBA Exactly. Presumptive at best. Puff piece if Ive ever seen one. First things first, let's just deal with the Asian cup and not get too far ahead of ourselves. We can only live in hope that the National Team isn't still relying on his services in 2018 as it would mean our stocks haven't developed.
Justin Twell
Roar Guru
I think Roger Miller's last appearance at a World Cup was when he was 43 years old? Can Tim Cahill play in 2018? Possibly, but he'll have to earn his spot and not be picked on name alone, something that certain England players receive. Players have to be picked on form, not just because of who they are.
Franko
Guest
Lucas Neill wasn't playing. Cahill is playing and playing well. If he keeps fit, keeps scoring and continues to play first XI in a good league, then why not. How old was Roger Millar in Italia 90?
RBBAnonymous
Guest
You say people will be heartened by the decision. I think it would be a bad decision by Cahill to play on. I dont think he will be good enough. By that stage I would expect all the golden generation players to be gone by 2018. Dont be the next Lucas Neill Timmy, your time is up. Time to move on.